Tunisia Announces 3.5% Growth Rate in 2012 and 4.5% in 2013
9 August 2012
Read by 1508 persons
The Tunisian government, whose optimism is not its only flaw, is expecting a growth rate of 3.5% in 2012 and 4.5% in 2013. This is especially true as signs of economic recovery are emerging.
This growth level, according to Jameleddine Gharbi, Minister of Regional Development,
cited by the official news agency Tap, could be achieved through "boosting consumption, stimulating investment and consolidating exports."
The government wants to revive sectors that lagged in 2011, such as mining and manufacturing, increase the share of public investment in GDP (22.7%), and create 90,000 additional jobs.
The unemployment rate reached 18.1% of the active population at the end of June 2012, compared to 18.9% at the beginning of the year, according to government statistics. Other sources estimate this rate at 19%.
According to the National Agency for Employment and Independent Work (Aneti), the number of jobs created during the first half of 2012 amounted to 26,713 compared to 23,181 jobs during the same period in 2011.
In order to create 90,000 additional jobs, the government intends to increase the share of public investment in GDP to 22.7% in order to revive sectors that lagged in 2011, such as mining and manufacturing.
The Tunisian economy having suffered the repercussions of post-revolutionary political and social instability, most indicators had turned red during the past year.
But after experiencing a recession in 2011 with a 1.8% decline in activity, the government is expecting a growth rate of 3.5% this year and 4.5% in 2013.
These good figures are explained by "the dynamism of consumption, the stimulation of investments and the consolidation of exports," explained Mr. Gharbi.
In the first half of the year, foreign direct investment (FDI) returned to its level at the beginning of 2010, one year before the revolt that ended Ben Ali's regime.
For the second half of 2012, the government led by the Ennahdha Islamists is expecting the same rate as recorded in the first half, namely 3.5%.
I. B. (with agencies)
Kapitalis.com
Published August 3, 2012.
Posted online August 9, 2012.
This growth level, according to Jameleddine Gharbi, Minister of Regional Development,
cited by the official news agency Tap, could be achieved through "boosting consumption, stimulating investment and consolidating exports."
The government wants to revive sectors that lagged in 2011, such as mining and manufacturing, increase the share of public investment in GDP (22.7%), and create 90,000 additional jobs.
The unemployment rate reached 18.1% of the active population at the end of June 2012, compared to 18.9% at the beginning of the year, according to government statistics. Other sources estimate this rate at 19%.
According to the National Agency for Employment and Independent Work (Aneti), the number of jobs created during the first half of 2012 amounted to 26,713 compared to 23,181 jobs during the same period in 2011.
In order to create 90,000 additional jobs, the government intends to increase the share of public investment in GDP to 22.7% in order to revive sectors that lagged in 2011, such as mining and manufacturing.
The Tunisian economy having suffered the repercussions of post-revolutionary political and social instability, most indicators had turned red during the past year.
But after experiencing a recession in 2011 with a 1.8% decline in activity, the government is expecting a growth rate of 3.5% this year and 4.5% in 2013.
These good figures are explained by "the dynamism of consumption, the stimulation of investments and the consolidation of exports," explained Mr. Gharbi.
In the first half of the year, foreign direct investment (FDI) returned to its level at the beginning of 2010, one year before the revolt that ended Ben Ali's regime.
For the second half of 2012, the government led by the Ennahdha Islamists is expecting the same rate as recorded in the first half, namely 3.5%.
I. B. (with agencies)
Kapitalis.com
Published August 3, 2012.
Posted online August 9, 2012.
